KV6005 - Cybercrime and Society

What will I learn on this module?

This module will focus on cybercrime within society and will explore different types of cybercrime, victims, offenders, and legal, societal, and policing approaches to tackling this form of criminality. You will explore different forms of cybercrime to understand how they affect society generally, as well as develop an understanding and appreciation for how cybercrime can disproportionally affect certain societal groups. You will explore cybercrime offenders to better understand the drivers towards this form of criminality. You will obtain insights into proactive and reactive cybercrime policing approaches and explore some of the societal challenges that different policing approaches can cause (e.g., privacy, security, and freedom of speech).

CoP pre-join curriculum learning outcomes: CoP December 2023 v1.1
Core National Learning
Conducting Investigations: Liaise with specialists (3.1)


Core National Supporting Information
Supporting/Supplementary Material
Wellbeing and Resilience
Protecting the Public
Community policing and partnership working
Response Policing
Information, Intelligence and Evidence

Legislation/Reference Material
CPIA Code of Practice
Extraction of Material from Digital Devices (2021) Authorised Professional Practice

How will I learn on this module?

Learning and teaching will take place through a variety of mechanisms, including lectures, practical sessions, and guided research into current developments and issues.


The cybercrime subject area is continuously evolving resulting in the need to keep up-to-date with new developments and changing practices. In order to maintain the currency of the syllabus, you will be expected to undertake research in a topic currently relevant to the cybercrime subject area. Topics will be introduced in lectures and explored through practical and guided learning activities. You will be encouraged to fully utilise the independent learning skills developed throughout the programme and plan your own research activities.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will be supported through active participation and discussion during seminars and workshops. These offer a unique opportunity to fully understand the theory underpinning the principles and practices of a thorough and effective investigations. All lecture, seminar and workshop material will be available on the University’s eLearning Portal, supplemented with guidance on further reading relevant to the subjects.
Written assessment feedback will also be provided to allow you to understand how you performed and how you can build on this performance in subsequent assessments within your programme.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Identify and critically discuss current research topics relevant to policing cybercrime and appraise how the core concepts, knowledge and practice of cybercrime have developed through research.
2. Distinguish appropriate cybercrime policing techniques for the advanced analysis of problems identified by current research
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Undertake research in a topic relevant to the cybercrime subject area and effectively communicate the findings
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
4. Explore and critically evaluate the professional requirements and procedures highlighted through research.

How will I be assessed?

Formative – reading and reviewing research publications under tutor guided independent learning.

Summative – write a short 500-word research proposal on a topic that is at the forefront of cybercrime (K&U 1, 2; IPS 3; PVA 4). Feedback via elp

Summative – write a 3,500-word assignment based on your proposal that effectively present your findings in a research paper (K&U 1, 2; IPS 3; PVA 4). Feedback via elp.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

You will focus on researching issues relating to cybercrime within society. You will explore different forms of cybercrime, developing insights into types of victims and offenders. Using this knowledge, you will explore and evaluate existing societal and policing approaches to preventing, detecting, and investigating cybercrimes. Learning and teaching will take place through a variety of mechanisms, including lectures, practical sessions, and guided research into current developments and issues. Topics will normally be introduced in lectures and explored through practical and guided learning activities. You will be encouraged to fully utilise the independent learning skills developed throughout the programme and plan your own research activities. Following the identification of a current research topic you will conduct research that is at the forefront of digital forensics and effectively present your findings in a research paper.

Course info

UCAS Code LL44

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 years Full Time

Department Social Sciences

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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